Now with a new afterword describing the security lapses that preceded the attacks of september 11, 2001, body of secrets takes us to the inner sanctum of americas spy world. In 1982, he released the puzzle palace, the first major book on the nsa. In body of secrets he offers shocking new details about the inner workings of the agency, gathered through unique access to thousands of internal documents and interviews with current and former officials. Us navy vietnam author of the puzzle palace, the definitive book on the nsa, which was published under dire threat in 1982 from the nsa for bamford, there is only black. However, rather than pursue a newspaper career he decided instead to write a book. This book, dating from 1982, is a description of the current and past activities of the us national security agency nsa, the largest and. Interesting essay about james bamford and his efforts to publish the puzzle palace over the nsas objections. The book is impressive not just for its breadth, but also its.
The nsa has long eluded public scrutiny, but the puzzle palace penetrates its vast. The title refers to a nickname for the nsa, which is headquartered in fort meade, maryland. Oct 11, 2008 he was threatened with prosecution in 1982 for revealing the secrets of that mammoth eavesdropping agency in his pathbreaking first book, the puzzle palace. James bamford born september 15, 1946 is an american bestselling author and journalist noted for his writing about united states intelligence agencies, especially the national security agency nsa. A report on americas most secret agency was the first detailed study of. The ideas acquired from others can help advance the civilization or ultimately to. Apr 25, 2001 in 1982, james bamford published the puzzle palace, his first expose on the national security agency.
In the followup to his bestselling puzzle palace, james bamford reveals the nsas hidden role in the most volatile. The journalist james bamford had spent years of his life researching a book on the nsa using open sources. The national security agency is the worlds most powerful, most farreaching espionage organization. The puzzle palace was quite a good job of investigative reporting, especially considering the customary reluctance of nsa to reveal much about. The nsa has long eluded public scrutiny, but the puzzle palace penetrates its vast network of power and unmasks the people who control it, often with. This report on the national security agency nsa, americas most secret agency scooped virtually all the professional journalists who were satisfied to quietly ignore the agency with a larger budget and more personnel than all. Anatomy of the ultrasecret national security agency 2001. James bamford, the author of the bestsellers body of secrets, the puzzle palace, and the shadow factory, has written extensively on national security issues. Published in 1982, it was the first book ever written about the national security agency and it became an immediate bestseller. Washington for 30 years, on a sometimes lonely hunt, james bamford has pursued that great white whale of american intelligence, the national security agency.
The puzzle palace by james bamford is basically a novel about with the advancement of technology, the ways to obtain information have become more advanced and easy to get. Buy puzzle palace by james bamford online at alibris. The nsa has long eluded public scrutiny, but the puzzle palace pe. For bamford, there is only black and white when it comes to the foreign intelligence surveillance act, a 1978 law that specifically requires warrants for any nsa wiretapping of u. Sep 23, 1982 the puzzle palace by james bamford is basically a novel about with the advancement of technology, the ways to obtain information have become more advanced and easy to get.
It is the first major, popular work devoted entirely to the history and workings of the national security agency nsa, a united states intelligence organization. James bamford first penetrated the wall of silence surrounding the nsa in 1982, with the muchtalkedabout us bestseller the puzzle palace. The puzzle palace 23 september 1982 edition open library. James bamfords the puzzle palace was a national bestseller when it was first published and now regarded as a classic.
When the puzzle palace first came out in 1982, it caused a certain amount of controversy and angst. This book, dating from 1982, is a description of the current and past activities of. Since that 1982 best seller, bamford has written three more books that delve into the nsa. But its a fair bet that bamford will find a way to work the bloodbath at the taj mahal hotel into the long n.
Bamfords second major work on nsa has brought forth the same kind of strong feelings as accompanied his earlier the puzzle palace 1982. He was threatened with prosecution in 1982 for revealing the secrets of that mammoth eavesdropping agency in his pathbreaking first book, the puzzle palace. Inside the national security agency, americas most secret intelligence organization. Those few details in the public domain have come either through treachery namely, revelations made public by defectors in the early 1960s or the tireless efforts of a writer, james bamford, whose 1982 book the puzzle palace. Three decades later, james bamfords pronouncement feels uncomfortably. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The puzzle palace by bamford, james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The puzzle palace is a book written by james bamford and published in 1982. Required reading for those who think the nsas excesses are somehow new. Bamford, working as an investigative producer for abc news, had been intending for a while to write a chapter to update his 1982 book the puzzle palace, working in his spare time. A pretext for war with iraq saturday july 31, 2004. James bamford is the nations foremost expert on the national security agency nsa.
Author of body of secrets, a pretext for war, the puzzle palace, the shadow factory, the cricket in your car, nsa. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Bamford to spend time at nsa where he obtained some of the material for this book. As of 29 september 1982, further information has become available in. When the author james bamford published his book the puzzle palace in 1982. A report on nsa, americas most secret agency by bamford, james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The shadow factory, published in 2008, was a new york times bestseller. Bamford said he had been threatened with prosecution by the nsa. James bamfords book the puzzle palace is published james bamford signing books in 2007 photograph taken by james mabel in 1982, the hitherto hypersecret national security agency went from being almost unknown to being a household name. As the nsas surveillance technology expands and many americans grow disenchanted with the agencys activities since 911, bamford.
James bamfords 1982 classic is an eyeopening exploration of the national security agency the nsa. Anatomy of the ultrasecret national security agency. Nsa united states national security agency revelations. Author of the puzzle palace, the definitive book on the nsa, which was published under dire threat in 1982 from the nsa. Yardley, cryptographe amateur, head of mi8 1917 1929. Author james bamford, a former naval security group communications technician and an investigative producer for abcs world news tonight, first publicized the agencys operations in his 1982 book. James bamford born september 15, 1946 is an american bestselling author, journalist. In 1982, long before most americans ever had to think about. Although the book is much more than a new interpretation of the israeli attack on the uss liberty, bamfords handling of that incident has dominated much of the discussion. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers.
In 1947, the governments of the united states, the united kingdom, canada, australia, and new zealand signed a secret treaty in which they agreed to cooperate in. Bamford now has a new book on nsa scheduled to appear this spring. The book is impressive not just for its breadth, but also its depth. James bamford behind the scenes at the national security agency, which is many times larger than the cia and spends many billions more per year, is the most secret agency within the u. Investigative journalist and author james bamford shared his research into the national security agency nsa and our reasons for going to war with iraq. The puzzle palace a report on nsa americas most secret agency. Jun 10, 20 in 1982, long before most americans ever had to think about warrantless eavesdropping, the journalist james bamford published the puzzle palace. A report on americas most secret agency by james bamford 1982, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
James bamford has written two newer and especially postsnowden important books but this remains a fascinating and gripping read even in the historical. James bamford was raised in natick, massachusetts, and spent three years in the navy before attending law school in boston on the g. A report on americas most secret agency by bamford, james isbn. After graduation, intrigued by the machinations of the watergate scandal, he gravitated toward journalism. Inside the national security agency, americas most secret intelligence organization by james bamford. For reasons that are not altogether clear, ltgen hayden, usaf, dirnsa, invited mr. A private attorney specializing in investigative reporting, when bamford was 35 he wrote the puzzle palace 1982. James bamford signing books in 2007 photograph taken by james mabel in 1982, the hitherto hypersecret national security agency went from being almost unknown to being a household name. The puzzle palace should be required reading for devotees of investigative reporting. The puzzle palace by james bamford, 23 september 1982, houghton mifflin edition, hardcover in english. He was threatened with prosecution in 1982 for revealing the secrets of that mammoth eavesdropping agency in. Body of secrets by james bamford houston chronicle. His new expose on the nsa is called body of secrets. The ideas acquired from others can help advance the civilization or ultimately to keep the threat of competition at a minimal.
His writing on the war in iraq for rolling stone magazine won the national magazine award for reporting, the highest honor in the magazine industry. Sep 04, 2008 james bamford first penetrated the wall of silence surrounding the nsa in 1982, with the muchtalkedabout us bestseller the puzzle palace. James bamford s the puzzle palace was a national bestseller when it was first published and now regarded as a classic. Kindle store go search best sellers gift ideas new releases. Bamford has taught at the university of california, berkeley, as a distinguished visiting professor and has written for the new york times magazine, the atlantic, harpers, and many other. Bamford was an intelligence analyst during the vietnam war, and earned a j.
It is the first major, popular work devoted entirely to the history and workings of. The book chronicles the nsas new role in post911 america. Mar 31, 2017 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. For the september 2014 issue of wired magazine bamford spent three days in moscow interviewing edward snowden, the most time any journalist has spent with him there.
James bamford born september 15, 1946 is an american bestselling author, journalist and documentary producer widely noted for his writing about united states intelligence agencies, especially the national security agency nsa. James bamford, author of the puzzle palace viking penguin, 1982, about the national security agency, is currently at work on a second book about the agency. Jun 03, 2001 author james bamford, a former naval security group communications technician and an investigative producer for abcs world news tonight, first publicized the agencys operations in his 1982 book. Jan 11, 2009 but its a fair bet that bamford will find a way to work the bloodbath at the taj mahal hotel into the long n. Jul 01, 20 since that 1982 best seller, bamford has written three more books that delve into the nsa.